Grants
Federal Pell Grant — Pell Grant is a Title IV program offering need-based grants ranging up to $7,395, dependent upon appropriations by Congress, student eligibility and enrollment status. The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over their lifetime is limited to the equivalent of six years, twelve semesters, or 600%. In certain situations, an eligible student can receive up to 150 percent of their scheduled Pell Grant award in a single award year. This is referred to as "year round Pell". Students should contact a Financial Aid Administrator to discuss their specific eligibility. New for the 2024-25 award year is the Special Rule in HEA Section 401(c) which states that children of a parent or guardian who dies of duty while either serving on active duty as a member of the U.S Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 or actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer; AND is 32 years old or younger as of January 1st of the awarding year will be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant regardless of their calculated student aid index (SAI)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — FSEOG is a Title IV program offering grant funds for students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Grants are based on the student’s need and funds available from the U.S. Department of Education. Typical full-time awards at HCC range from $100 to $1200 per year. Priority for FSEOG is given to those students with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA and those who apply by the college’s priority filing date of March 1.
Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) Grant — The CCCPDF is a tuition assistance program awarded to students participating in the Child Care Career and Professional Development Grant Program. This fund provides assistance with tuition, fees, books, and supplies for students to complete their program of study. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be working toward the AAS in Early Childhood Development or the AAT in Early Childhood Education/Special Education degree. All applicants must have at least one year of experience in licensed child care, hold a Level 2 Credential with MSDE, and work at least 10 hours/week in a licensed child care setting. After acceptance, students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and reapply annually. Participants in the CCCPDF must also commit to working in child care in the State of Maryland after completion of their degree (two years for the AAS or AAT) or the tuition, books, and fees will convert to a loan. Please contact Joan Johnson at jjjohnson6@howardcc.edu for more information.
Howard Community College Grant (HCCG) - HCCG is a grant funded by Howard Community College’s operational budget and is used to assist enrolled students with their cost of attendance. Awards are packaged based on full-time enrollment and pro-rated at each semester census. Awards range from $150 to $3000 based on residency and enrollment status. During the summer semester, funds are limited so students are awarded HCCG on a first come first serve basis.
Scholarships
Maryland State Scholarship Program —The Maryland Higher Education Commission, Office of Student Assistance offers several need-based scholarships for Maryland residents. The scholarships most frequently awarded to HCC students include, but are not limited to, Educational Assistance Grants, Guaranteed Access Grants, Senatorial Scholarships, Promise Scholarship, and Delegate Scholarships. In order to be considered for a Maryland State Scholarship, a student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Maryland Higher Education One App by March 1, each year. Some state scholarships may have additional application requirements and require full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours). Please check with the Maryland State Office of Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or for additional information.
Transfer students who received a Maryland State scholarship at their previous school must update the school attendance information to include HCC on the Maryland Higher Education Commission website using MDCAPS.
HCC Grants/Scholarships — This is a need-based grant/scholarship program funded from Howard Community College’s operating budget. Scholarships are available for new and returning students. Awards range from $500 to $2500 for the academic year, dependent upon availability of funds, student eligibility, level of enrollment and other aid awarded. Students who completed the FAFSA and have a completed financial aid file by March 1, and demonstrate financial need as determined by Financial Aid Services will be given first priority.
HCC Educational Foundation, Inc. Scholarships — The college’s foundation maintains a scholarship program through contributions from private businesses, foundations, civic organizations and individuals. Scholarships are available to new and returning students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need. Scholarship awards can range from $100 to $5000 per year, not to exceed the cost of tuition, fees, and books in combination with other grant/scholarship aid. Award amounts and availability of funds are subject to change. Generally, priority is given to those students who apply by May 1. For more information on specific scholarships available, consult Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at howardcc.edu.
Part-Time Employment
Federal Work-Study Program —Federal Work-Study is a Title IV program offering part-time work for HCC students who demonstrate financial need. Students work up to 20 hours per week during the regular semester, depending upon the student’s financial need, availability of federal funds and the student’s class schedule. Seven percent of the school’s annual Federal Work-Study allocation will be used to fund community service jobs. Priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA and who have a completed financial aid file by March 1. For more information, please inquire in Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at howardcc.edu.
HCC Student Work-Study Program —HCC Student Work-Study is an institutionally funded part-time work program. Any student who desires part-time employment at the college may apply. Students work up to 20 hours per week during the regular semester, depending upon the availability of the college’s funds, and the student’s class schedule. Priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA and who have a completed financial aid file by March 1. For more information, please inquire in Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at howardcc.edu.
Loans
Federal Direct Loans — Direct loans are a Title IV financial aid program where federal aid eligibility requirements apply. Loan applicants must be actively enrolled in at least six financial aid eligible credits. Students need to complete the loan request on the HCC website to request a loan. Grade level progression for student loan eligibility is defined as follows:
Grade 1 = 1-30 completed credits
Grade 2 = 31 or more completed credits
The base loan limit for a Grade 1 borrower in an associate degree program is $3500. The base loan limit for a Grade 2 borrower in an associated degree program is $4500. Dependent students (as defined on the FAFSA) have additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan eligibility of $2000. Independent students (as defined onthe FAFSA) have additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan eligibility of $6000. Annual and aggregate limits apply. The interest rate for all new Direct Loans is a fixed rate based on disbursement date (subject to change by Congress). Students enrolled in certain certificate programs may not be eligible for the full loan amount due to the short duration of the program. Please inquire in Financial Aid Services for more information. First time loan borrowers at HCC are required to complete federal loan entrance counseling.
Transfer students to HCC, if a loan borrower, must cancel any remaining loan disbursements at the previously attended college. Please see the HCC website for more information to request a loan.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans — Federal Direct PLUS Loans are a Title IV program which enables parents who do not have adverse credit histories to borrow funds to pay the educational expenses of their child if the student is classified as a “dependent” and enrolled at least half-time (6 credits or more). The student and the parent must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid and the student must maintain satisfactory academic progress. The parent must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen and may not be in default or owe a refund to any federal student aid program. The PLUS loan is not a need-based loan. A parent is eligible to borrow up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid the student is receiving. The interest rate for a Parent Plus loan is a fixed rate set by congress each year. For more information on interest rates go to www.studentaid.gov.
Dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds.
All originated Federal Direct Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans will be submitted to the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.